Memory Lane May 4, 2020

Madrid Memories 2013: Serena slides to second straight title

Look back on the story of the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open, where Maria Sharapova surged and Ana Ivanovic battled -- but World No.1 Serena Williams was undaunted in her title defense in the midst of a banner year.

At the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open, the 16 seeds were the Top 16 players in the world, led by reigning champion and World No.1 Serena Williams. The American started her title defense with a first-round win over Yulia Putintseva. — 01 /18

At the 2013 Mutua Madrid Open, the 16 seeds were the Top 16 players in the world, led by reigning champion and World No.1 Serena Williams. The American started her title defense with a first-round win over Yulia Putintseva.

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18-year-old Madison Keys made a breakthrough at the event when she earned her first-ever Top 10 win over World No.5 Li Na in the opening round. Keys had lost in qualifying to Bethanie Mattek-Sands but entered the main draw as a lucky loser. — 02 /18

18-year-old Madison Keys made a breakthrough at the event when she earned her first-ever Top 10 win over World No.5 Li Na in the opening round. Keys had lost in qualifying to Bethanie Mattek-Sands but entered the main draw as a lucky loser.

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Throwing herself all over the court, Carla Suárez Navarro thrilled her compatriot fans with a first-round upset over No.9 seed Samantha Stosur. — 03 /18

Throwing herself all over the court, Carla Suárez Navarro thrilled her compatriot fans with a first-round upset over No.9 seed Samantha Stosur.

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The second round was full of surprises, including Ekaterina Makarova's (L) come-from-behind win over No.3 seed Victoria Azarenka. Makarova would slide all the way to the quarterfinals. — 04 /18

The second round was full of surprises, including Ekaterina Makarova's (L) come-from-behind win over No.3 seed Victoria Azarenka. Makarova would slide all the way to the quarterfinals.

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Laura Robson also sprung a second-round stunner, ousting No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska. Robson notched her first -- and, to date, only -- win over a Top 5 opponent. — 05 /18

Laura Robson also sprung a second-round stunner, ousting No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska. Robson notched her first -- and, to date, only -- win over a Top 5 opponent.

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2011 Mutua Madrid Open champion Petra Kvitova was also an upset victim in round two, as the No.8 seed lost a one-set lead before going down to wildcard Daniela Hantuchova. — 06 /18

2011 Mutua Madrid Open champion Petra Kvitova was also an upset victim in round two, as the No.8 seed lost a one-set lead before going down to wildcard Daniela Hantuchova.

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World No.2 Maria Sharapova, though, had no trouble moving through the early rounds. The second seed propelled herself into the quarterfinals courtesy of three straight-set victories. — 07 /18

World No.2 Maria Sharapova, though, had no trouble moving through the early rounds. The second seed propelled herself into the quarterfinals courtesy of three straight-set victories.

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No.6 seed Angelique Kerber had a much tougher time in the round of 16, but the future World No.1 ended up gritting out a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova to seal a quarterfinal slot. — 08 /18

No.6 seed Angelique Kerber had a much tougher time in the round of 16, but the future World No.1 ended up gritting out a 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 win over Svetlana Kuznetsova to seal a quarterfinal slot.

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No.16 seed Ana Ivanovic also breathed a sigh of relief in the round of 16, squeaking past Robson in a final-set tiebreak. Ivanovic roared back from a 2-5 deficit in the deciding set. — 09 /18

No.16 seed Ana Ivanovic also breathed a sigh of relief in the round of 16, squeaking past Robson in a final-set tiebreak. Ivanovic roared back from a 2-5 deficit in the deciding set.

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Unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi also reached the last eight, ousting Flavia Pennetta, Suárez Navarro, and Hantuchova en route. Kanepi's run would end at the hands of Sharapova -- Sharapova retired in 2020 with a 5-0 head-to-head record over Kanepi. — 10 /18

Unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi also reached the last eight, ousting Flavia Pennetta, Suárez Navarro, and Hantuchova en route. Kanepi's run would end at the hands of Sharapova -- Sharapova retired in 2020 with a 5-0 head-to-head record over Kanepi.

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Anabel Medina Garrigues was the last Spaniard standing, as the wildcard reached the quarterfinals. Medina Garrigues gave Serena Williams a stern test in that round, bageling the top seed in the second set before succumbing 7-5 in the third. — 11 /18

Anabel Medina Garrigues was the last Spaniard standing, as the wildcard reached the quarterfinals. Medina Garrigues gave Serena Williams a stern test in that round, bageling the top seed in the second set before succumbing 7-5 in the third.

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Ivanovic defeated Kerber in straight sets to move into the semifinals. At that point in time, it was Ivanovic's third win in her three meetings with Kerber. Ivanovic would finish her career with a 5-2 head-to-head advantage over Kerber. — 12 /18

Ivanovic defeated Kerber in straight sets to move into the semifinals. At that point in time, it was Ivanovic's third win in her three meetings with Kerber. Ivanovic would finish her career with a 5-2 head-to-head advantage over Kerber.

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No.7 seed Sara Errani grabbed a semifinal spot in the tournament by ending the run of Makarova in straight sets. Errani would go on to be ousted in the final four by Serena Williams in straight sets. — 13 /18

No.7 seed Sara Errani grabbed a semifinal spot in the tournament by ending the run of Makarova in straight sets. Errani would go on to be ousted in the final four by Serena Williams in straight sets.

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No.2 seed Sharapova beat Ivanovic in the semifinals, reaching the final without the loss of a set. This queued up a meeting between the world's top two players in the final. It would be the seventh meeting between Sharapova and Williams in a final. — 14 /18

No.2 seed Sharapova beat Ivanovic in the semifinals, reaching the final without the loss of a set. This queued up a meeting between the world's top two players in the final. It would be the seventh meeting between Sharapova and Williams in a final.

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The World No.1 took the title, as Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-4, successfully defending her crown. It was Williams's fourth title of 2013, and the 50th WTA singles title of her legendary career. — 15 /18

The World No.1 took the title, as Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-4, successfully defending her crown. It was Williams's fourth title of 2013, and the 50th WTA singles title of her legendary career.

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Williams's victory in the final was her 19th consecutive match-win. That victory streak included titles at Miami (where she defeated Sharapova in the final) and Charleston. — 16 /18

Williams's victory in the final was her 19th consecutive match-win. That victory streak included titles at Miami (where she defeated Sharapova in the final) and Charleston.

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Sharapova fell at the final hurdle in 2013, but she would triumph in the Spanish capital the very next year. The Russian would go on to defeat Simona Halep for the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open title. — 17 /18

Sharapova fell at the final hurdle in 2013, but she would triumph in the Spanish capital the very next year. The Russian would go on to defeat Simona Halep for the 2014 Mutua Madrid Open title.

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Williams went on to have an incredible 2013 season. She won 11 WTA singles titles that year, including Grand Slam trophies at Roland Garros and the US Open, and finished the year as World No.1. — 18 /18

Williams went on to have an incredible 2013 season. She won 11 WTA singles titles that year, including Grand Slam trophies at Roland Garros and the US Open, and finished the year as World No.1.

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